Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Milwaukee archbishop releases abuse documentation

Milwaukee archbishop releases abuse documentation

Last updated on: July 3, 2013 at 10:19 am by CNA Daily News

Milwaukee archbishop releases abuse documentation 2013-07-03T10:19:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Milwaukee, Wis., Jul 3, 2013 / 04:19 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has released almost 6,000 pages of documents related to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s handling of sex abuse cases, saying the documents will help the Church face up to mistakes and prevent abuse.

“My hope in voluntarily making these documents public is that they will aid abuse survivors, families, and others in understanding the past, reviewing the present and allowing the Church in southeastern Wisconsin to continue moving forward,” Archbishop Listecki said.

“We can never tell abuse survivors enough how sorry we are for what they endured. My apology goes out to all who have been harmed and I continue to offer to meet with any individual abuse survivors who would find it helpful.”

He said the documents show “how people tried to do their best with what they knew at the time.”

He also said the documents describe “some terrible things” and include some graphic descriptions that require spiritual preparation to read.

The documents, released July 1, involve portions of personnel files for 42 of the 45 priests credibly accused of sex abuse whose cases are involved in the archdiocese’s bankruptcy, which began in January 2011.

The documents include the depositions of former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who now heads the Archdiocese of New York as a cardinal; retired Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland; retired auxiliary bishop Richard Sklba; and the laicized priest Daniel Budzynski.

Documents include those for offending priests like Father Lawrence Murphy, who may have molested as many as 200 boys at a school for the deaf, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. The files have victims’ names and other identifying information redacted.

Cardinal Dolan said July 1 that he welcomed the release of the documents. He criticized the repetition of “old and discredited attacks,” such as the claim he paid abusive priests to apply for laicization. He said these payments were part of his duty to provide basic support for priests until they leave the priesthood.

He also rejected claims that the transfer of $57 million in archdiocesan funds to a perpetual care fund for cemeteries was an effort to deny funds to victims, saying the funds had been legally designated for the cemeteries.

Archbishop Listecki noted some examples in the documents that show how society has changed: some parents of victims wanted the bishop to know about an abusive priest’s behavior, but did not want police involved. Doctors and therapists at the time believed abuse had no long-lasting impact.

He added that sexual abuse of a minor was first seen as a moral failing and sin that needed personal direction, then as a curable “psychological deficiency” that needed therapy, then as an addiction, then as criminal activity.

The archdiocese reassigned 22 priests to parish work after the archdiocese knew of “concerns about their behavior,” the archbishop said. Of these, eight are known to have reoffended.

Many of the documented abuse incidents date back decades and were not reported to the archdiocese or civil authorities until years after the abuse. Priests who were prosecuted often did not go to jail.

“It is easy to question decisions of the past with the insight of today, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s and early 1990s that the Church and society began to better understand this topic,” Archbishop Listecki said.

Formal outreach to survivors and response to abusive priests only began to emerge in the 1990s, he said.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee entered bankruptcy three years ago to allow the archdiocese to continue to operate while also paying some of the claims of abuse plaintiffs. There are 575 plaintiffs involved in the bankruptcy, mainly represented by Jeffrey Anderson.

“Our hope is that the publication of these documents can help bring this chapter of our history to a close and allow us to continue to focus on our desire to work with abuse survivors, and to focus on education and prevention,” Archbishop Listecki said. “We pray for those who are abuse survivors and pledge our continued support for those who have been harmed, following the Lord’s command to love one another.”

Cardinal Dolan, who is president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, said sexual abuse of minors is “a crime” and “a sin.”

“The Church must remain rigorous in our response when an allegation of abuse is received, and ever-vigilant in maintaining our safeguards to do all that we can to see that children are protected,” he said.

“It is my hope that the release of these documents will also help to show how the Catholic Church in the United States has become a leader in dealing with the society-wide scourge of sexual abuse, and help other groups and organizations who are also seeking combat this evil.”

Previous Post

July 3, 2013

Pro-life advocates laud Ohio budget provisions

Next Post

July 3, 2013 Works of mercy caress, bind Christ's wounds, Pope teaches

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What physical affliction did Job suffer?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Broken bones Blindness Leprosy Painful boils